Here Comes Valentine Cat

Starred review from October 12, 2015
Given Cat’s previous attempts to stand in for the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy, readers might expect some Cupid-style matchmaking from the mischievous feline in his fourth outing. But Cat’s feelings toward the dog next door are far from loving: “Roses are Red/ Violets are Blue/ Who’s the Worst Neighbor?/ I think it’s you!” reads his proposed valentine. The interplay between the unseen narrator’s prompts and Cat’s sardonic, silent replies is as wickedly fun as ever—Underwood and Rueda clearly know how well sweet and salty go together. Ages 3–5. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Erin Murphy Literary Agency.

October 1, 2015
Underwood's endearing, voiceless cat is back, this time getting a lesson in Valentine's Day tact. Using signs and props to communicate with an off-page, unseen, seemingly adult figure, Cat first establishes that he doesn't like Valentine's Day. It gradually comes out that, other than his stuffed squid, he has no friends. Just then, the conversation is interrupted by a bone, thrown over the fence by Cat's new neighbor, Dog, and it's not the first bone he's thrown, either. Cat, being Cat, jumps to conclusions, especially after a thrown ball clobbers him. "Cat, what are you up to? // You are going to give Dog a valentine? // Oh, dear." That about sums it up. Needless to say, the Roses are Red] poems Cat comes up with are not very tactful. But his construction of a rocket (to send Dog to the moon, of course) is interrupted by a valentine that flutters down and lands on its tip. Perhaps Dog isn't the mean, awful neighbor Cat took him to be? Maybe he's even a potential friend. Rueda masterfully uses white space and Cat's facial expressions and body language to play up the emotions, exploiting the expansive page count for beautifully pitched comic timing. Cat hasn't lost his ability to charm readers, if for no other reason than children are so able to see themselves in him. (Picture book. 3-7)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 2-In this creatively presented holiday title, an unidentified narrator speaks directly to Cat, trying to convince the disgruntled feline to make a valentine for a friend. The narrator insists that the holiday "doesn't have to be all mushy." The conversation continues with Cat communicating through eloquently illustrated signs. One sign shows a particularly dastardly portrait of Cat's new canine neighbor. Cat automatically rejects the idea of sending a friendly valentine to Dog. Dog is noisy and keeps throwing things over the fence. Cat vehemently clings to the opinion that dogs are mean and undeserving of Valentine's wishes until an unexpected event changes everything. The humorous ink and color pencil illustrations of the stout, sand-colored kitty will endear Cat to young readers, and they will appreciate the lesson Cat learns: don't jump to conclusions about your friends because everything is not always as it appears. VERDICT The story's singular narrative style and simple but expressive illustrations will make it a favorite during the month of February. Pair it with Laura Malone Elliott's A String of Hearts (HarperCollins, 2010).-Linda L. Walkins, Saint Joseph Preparatory High School, Boston, MA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.